OHL ANNOUNCES TOP PERFORMERS OF THE MONTH FOR MARCH

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

Toronto, Ont. – The Ontario Hockey League today announced the Top OHL Performers of the Month for regular season games played in March 2022, including Windsor Spitfires forward Wyatt Johnston, Saginaw Spirit blueliner Pavel Mintyukov, Owen Sound Attack forward Cedrick Guindon and Hamilton Bulldogs netminder Marco Costantini.

OHL Player of the Month – Wyatt Johnston (Windsor Spitfires):
For the third time this season, Dallas Stars prospect Wyatt Johnston of the Windsor Spitfires is the OHL Player of the Month, producing 13 goals, 17 assists and 30 points in 15 March matchups. Johnston, who also registered a plus/minus rating of plus-11, posted multi-point outputs in 11 of his 15 contests, scoring four game winning goals as the Spits played to a record of 12-2-1-0. Johnston helped the Spitfires collect an important two points in a West Division clash at the beginning of the month, scoring and adding two assists in a 7-3 win over Sault Ste. Marie on Mar. 5th. He chipped in on a Will Cuylle OT winner, picking up three points in a 5-4 triumph over the Erie Otters on Mar. 12th. Johnston’s first career hat trick came on Mar. 19th in Flint as the Spits leapfrogged the Firebirds in the West Division standings with a 6-3 win. He’s riding a run of seven consecutive multi-point outings, with the latest contribution coming Thursday night with three points in a 5-1 win over Sarnia. Johnston earned star of the game recognition seven different times, picking up first star honours in four games.

An 18-year-old native of Toronto, Ont., Johnston leads the OHL with 115 points (42-73–115) in 61 games, also boasting a plus-30 rating. Johnston’s 115 points are the 11th-most in Windsor Spitfires history. He was a first round (23rd overall) pick of the Dallas Stars in the 2021 NHL Draft, and signed a three-year entry level NHL contract with the club on Sept. 28, 2021. A former World Under-18 Hockey Championship gold medalist with Team Canada, Johnston was Windsor’s first round (6th overall) pick in the 2019 OHL Priority Selection.

OHL Defenceman of the Month – Pavel Mintyukov (Saginaw Spirit):
First-year Saginaw Spirit blueliner Pavel Mintyukov is the OHL Defenceman of the Month for March, leading all rearguards with 15 points including five goals and 10 assists in 13 games. The 2022 NHL Draft prospect recently competed in the Kubota CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game and registered three different multi-point outings for the Spirit in the month of March. Mintyukov became the only OHL defenceman to record six points in a game this season on Mar. 11th, setting a Spirit record for blueliners by scoring twice while adding four assists in a 7-6 win over Owen Sound. He put up a goal and two assists in an 8-5 loss to the London Knights on Mar. 18th and did so again on Mar. 25th as the Spirit staged a big comeback to defeat the Sarnia Sting 9-8 in overtime. Mintyukov is the first Spirit defenceman to earn OHL Defenceman of the Month honours since Bode Wilde last did so in December 2018.

An 18-year-old late 2003-born defenceman, Mintyukov has 15 goals, 38 assists and 53 points in 60 games this season, and is one of six blueliners in Spirit history to eclipse the 50-point mark in a campaign. The 6-foot-2, 190Ib. defender was the fifth-ranked North American skater on NHL Central Scouting’s Midterm Draft Rankings. The Spirit selected Mintyukov with the 52nd overall pick of the 2020 CHL Import Draft.

OHL Goaltender of the Month – Marco Costantini (Hamilton Bulldogs):
Marco Costantini of the Hamilton Bulldogs is the OHL Goaltender of the Month for March, playing to a perfect 9-0-0-0 record with a minuscule 1.03 goals-against average, .960 save percentage and two shutouts. Costantini stopped 214 of the 223 shots he faced over the course of the month, helping the Bulldogs maintain their standing atop the Ontario Hockey League. Among his best performances included a 34-save effort on Mar. 11th in Mississauga as the Bulldogs beat the Steelheads 5-1. He posted an 18-save shutout on Mar. 14th, backstopping Hamilton to a 3-0 win over the Oshawa Generals outdoors at Tim Hortons Field. Costantini earned first star honours in an East Division showdown with Kingston on Mar. 18th, making 29 saves in a 3-1 win over the Frontenacs. He recorded his league-leading fifth shutout of the season on Mar. 27th in Oshawa, stopping 16 as the Bulldogs won 3-0. Costantini becomes the first Bulldogs netminder to earn OHL Goaltender of the Month recognition.

A 19-year-old Hamilton native, Costantini owns the league’s lowest goals-against average of 2.42, going 27-9-2-2 with a .914 save percentage and league-high matching five shutouts. Costantini has won 18 of his last 19 starts. He was Hamilton’s fifth round (95th overall) pick in the 2018 OHL Priority Selection from the OHL Cup finalist Vaughan Kings U16 program.

OHL Rookie of the Month – Cedrick Guindon (Owen Sound Attack):
Draft eligible Owen Sound Attack forward Cedrick Guindon is the OHL Rookie of the Month for March, recording 10 goals, eight assists and 18 points in 14 games with a plus/minus rating of plus-9. Guindon had points in 11 of his 14 March contests, producing five different multi-point performances. He became one of five OHL players to score four goals in a game this season on Mar. 4th, providing the Attack scoring in a 4-3 overtime road win over the Guelph Storm. He added a goal and an assist as the Attack beat the Storm once again on Mar. 7th. Guindon strung together points in six straight games from Mar. 11th to 22nd, helping the Attack ascend the Western Conference standings as they collected at least one point in each of them. He rounded-out the month of March with goals in back-to-back wins over the Sarnia Sting last weekend. Guindon is the first Attack player to win OHL Rookie of the Month honours since Artur Gavrus in October 2011.

A 17-year-old from Rockland, Ont., Guindon’s 54 points are the second-most among OHL rookies while his 27 goals place him third, one back of teammate Colby Barlow. He sits fourth among OHL rookies with 184 shots on goal. Guindon is having among the best seasons of any 16 or 17-year-old rookie in Attack franchise history with his 54 points standing as the most in that category. Guindon is the 76th-ranked North American skater on NHL Central Scouting’s Midterm Draft Rankings. He was the club’s first round (10th overall) pick in the 2020 OHL Priority Selection.

2021-22 OHL Performers of the Month:

Player of the Month:
March – Wyatt Johnston (Windsor Spitfires)
February – Logan Morrison (Hamilton Bulldogs)
January – Wyatt Johnston (Windsor Spitfires)
December – Wyatt Johnston (Windsor Spitfires)
November – Kyle Jackson (North Bay Battalion)
October – Sasha Pastujov (Guelph Storm)

Defenceman of the Month:
March – Pavel Mintyukov (Saginaw Spirit)
February – Michael Buchinger (Guelph Storm)
January – Brandt Clarke (Barrie Colts)
December – Ethan Del Mastro (Mississauga Steelheads)
November – Nathan Staios (Hamilton Bulldogs)
October – Jack Thompson (Sudbury Wolves)

Rookie of the Month:
March – Cedrick Guindon (Owen Sound Attack)
February – Michael Buchinger (Guelph Storm)
January – David Goyette (Sudbury Wolves)
December – Coulson Pitre (Flint Firebirds)
November – Owen Beck (Mississauga Steelheads)
October – Calum Ritchie (Oshawa Generals)

Goaltender of the Month:
March – Marco Costantini (Hamilton Bulldogs)
February – Luke Cavallin (Flint Firebirds)
January – Mack Guzda (Barrie Colts)
December – Mack Guzda (Barrie Colts)
November – Joe Vrbetic (North Bay Battalion)
October – Brett Brochu (London Knights)


About the Ontario Hockey League
The Ontario Hockey League is a proud member of the Canadian Hockey League which is the world’s largest development hockey league with 60 teams in nine Canadian provinces and four American states. In addition to the OHL, the CHL is made up of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League and the Western Hockey League. The CHL supplies more players to the National Hockey League and U SPORTS than any other league.

2022 OHL CUP POWERED BY UNDER ARMOUR DAY 2 SUMMARY

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

Toronto, Ont. – The 2022 OHL Cup powered by Under Armour and hosted by the Greater Toronto Hockey League continued on Thursday with a total of 12 games on the Round Robin schedule.

The GTHL’s Toronto Jr. Canadiens and Markham Majors both improved to 3-0, clinching first place in their respective divisions to earn a spot in Saturday’s Quarter-Finals. The Toronto Marlboros, Brantford 99ers and York-Simcoe Express also stayed perfect on Thursday as the former sits at 3-0 and the latter two at 2-0. The Marlboros and 99ers face each other on Friday morning.

Jr. Canadiens teammates Porter Martone (4-5–9) and Michael Hage (3-6–9) sit tied for the showcase scoring lead with nine points apiece while four others trail close behind with seven. Jr. Canadiens rearguard Anthony Cristoforo (1-6–7) leads all blueliners with seven points.

In the crease, Markham Majors netminder Jacob Gibbons has been flawless through 90 minutes of play, posting his second of back-to-back shutouts in a 4-0 blanking of the Quinte Red Devils on Thursday. Brantford 99ers goaltender Justin Robinson has stopped 73 of 75 shots sent his way, going 2-0 in the crease.

SCORES | STATS | STANDINGS | SCHEDULE

2022 OHL Cup Powered by Under Armour Day 2 Results:

Game 17 – Huron-Perth Lakers 1 vs. Quinte Red Devils 1
Lakers MVP – Carter McCluskey (30 SV)
Red Devils MVP – Ben Danford (1A)
Recap – Stats

Game 18 – Northern Ontario Hockey Association 4 vs. Don Mills Flyers 2
NOHA MVP – Jesse Lefebvre (1G)
Flyers MVP – Matthew D’Angelo (1G)
Recap – Stats

Game 19 – Brantford 99ers 5 vs. Niagara North Stars 1
99ers MVP – Gabe Chiarot (2A)
North Stars MVP – Andrew Vermeulen (1A)
Recap – Stats

Game 20 – Elgin-Middlesex Chiefs 5 vs. Hamilton Jr. Bulldogs 3
Chiefs MVP – Clark Sandham (1G)
Jr. Bulldogs MVP – Nathan Solomon (1A)
Recap – Stats

Game 21 – London Jr. Knights 4 vs. Vaughan Kings 1
Jr. Knights MVP – Ryan Roobroeck (2G, 2A)
Kings MVP – Kaden Pitre (1G)
Recap – Stats

Game 22 – Markham Waxers 5 vs. North York Rangers 2
Waxers MVP – Owen Griffin (1G, 1A)
Rangers MVP – Kieron Walton (1A)
Recap – Stats

Game 23 – Mississauga Senators 4 vs. TPH Hockey 1
Senators MVP – William Moore (2G)
TPH MVP – Caeden Heins (1G)
Recap – Stats

Game 24 – Thunder Bay Kings 2 vs. Waterloo Wolves 1
Kings MVP – Carter George (30 SV)
Wolves MVP – Nolan Shaw (1G)
Recap – Stats

Game 25 – York-Simcoe Express 5 vs. Don Mills Flyers 2
Express MVP – Michael Denney (1G, 1A)
Flyers MVP – Jameson Steele (1G)
Recap – Stats

Game 26 – Markham Majors 4 vs. Quinte Red Devils 0
Majors MVP – Ryan Tizzard (1A)
Red Devils MVP – Gage Butcher
Recap – Stats

Game 27 – Toronto Jr. Canadiens 9 vs. Hamilton Jr. Bulldogs 3
Jr. Canadiens MVP – Michael Hage (2G, 3A)
Jr. Bulldogs MVP – Clark Dunford (2G)
Recap – Stats

Game 28 – Toronto Marlboros 6 vs. Niagara North Stars 1
Marlboros MVP – Matthew Little (3G)
Stars MVP – Andrew Vermeulen (1G)
Recap – Stats

All tournament games feature live scoring complete with the OHL’s Game Centre module.

Round Robin action concludes on Friday with 12 games on the schedule. Quarter-Final and Semi-Final action goes Saturday, culminating in Monday’s Championship Final at the Mattamy Athletic Centre. The OHL Cup Championship Final can be seen streaming live for free on OHL Live and will be aired across Ontario on the Rogers Super Sports Pak.

All games are available live and on demand through GameOnStream.

The showcase provides fans and scouts one last opportunity to see many of the top U16 AAA players from across Ontario and parts of the United States compete for the OHL Cup performing against the best competition prior to the 2022 OHL Priority Selection.

For more information, visit OHLCup.ca.


About the Ontario Hockey League
The Ontario Hockey League is a proud member of the Canadian Hockey League which is the world’s largest development hockey league with 60 teams in nine Canadian provinces and four American states. In addition to the OHL, the CHL is made up of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League and the Western Hockey League. The CHL supplies more players to the National Hockey League and U SPORTS than any other league.

OHL THIS WEEK: MARCH 31 TO APRIL 3, 2022

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

Bulldogs, Spitfires and Battalion included in Week 22 edition of Kia CHL Top 10 Rankings:
The Hamilton Bulldogs, Windsor Spitfires and North Bay Battalion are included in the Week 22 edition of the Kia CHL Top 10 Rankings. Read more

2022 OHL Cup Powered by Under Armour underway in Toronto:
The 2022 OHL Cup powered by Under Armour is in full swing in Toronto, with prospects eligible for the 2022 OHL Priority Selection putting their best foot forward in pursuit of U16 AAA supremacy. Meet the teams | ohlcup.ca

Final edition of OHL Cup Powered by Under Armour U16 AAA Top 10 Rankings:
The GTHL champion Toronto Jr. Canadiens lead the way into the annual showcase as the top-ranked team in the province. Read more

Spirit’s Dalton Duhart named OHL Player of the Week:
Saginaw Spirit forward Dalton Duhart is the OHL Player of the Week, recording six goals, four assists and 10 points in three games. Read more

IceDogs’ Joey Costanzo named OHL Goaltender of the Week:
Joey Costanzo of the Niagara IceDogs is the OHL Goaltender of the Week after going 2-0 with a 1.00 goals-against average and .973 save percentage. Read more

Duhart, Smith and Costanzo included on CHL Team of the Week:
Saginaw Spirit teammates Dalton Duhart and Mitchell Smith join Niagara IceDogs netminder Joey Costanzo on the CHL Team of the Week. Read more

OHL Weekend Notebook:
The OHL Weekend Notebook recaps the weekend that was with news, information and interesting facts from both on and off the ice. Read more

Three first goals and a shutout in OHL Milestone Moments:
Check out first career goals from Mississauga’s Dylan Gordon, Saginaw’s Olivier Savard, Niagara’s Ilia Chmelevski, and a first career shutout from London’s Owen Flores. Watch

Knights duo leads OHL Plays of the Week:
This week’s OHL Plays of the Week include contributions from Kingston’s Paul Ludwinski, Saginaw’s Mitchell Smith, Windsor’s Wyatt Johnston, and London’s duo of Luke Evangelista and Antonio Stranges. Watch

Rolling back the OHL Saves of the Week:
See the best saves in the OHL this week with contributions from London’s Owen Willmore and Owen Flores, Barrie’s Mack Guzda, Sarnia’s Anson Thornton, Peterborough’s Liam Sztuska, Kitchener’s Jackson Parsons, Niagara’s Josh Rosenzweig and Joey Costanzo, Kingston’s Aidan Spooner, North Bay’s Dom DiVincentiis, and Owen Sound’s Nick Chenard. Watch

First annual OHL Officiating Prospect Development Combine to be held June 2-4
The OHL is hosting its 1st Annual Officiating Prospect Development Combine to be held from June 2-4 at the Quinte Sports & Wellness Centre in Belleville, Ont. Read more

Lots of support from fans, friends and family at Kubota CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game:
There was a lot of love for up and coming OHL talent at the 2022 Kubota CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game in Kitchener. Watch

OHL mourns the loss of Eugene Melnyk:
The OHL is mourning the sudden loss of a former owner and prominent member of the hockey community. Eugene Melnyk was 62 years-old. Read more

Lucas Littlejohn commits to IceDogs:
The Niagara IceDogs have received a commitment from 12th round 2020 OHL Priority Selection choice Lucas Littlejohn. Read more

COMMUNITY CORNER

Hockey is For the Dogs on Friday in Kingston: The Kingston Frontenacs are raising support for the Kingston Humane Society on Friday when they play host to the Oshawa Generals. A total of 10 dogs will be at the game and available for adoption. Service dogs will also be in attendance. Get more information at kingstonfrontenacs.com

67’s prepare for April Fools Game on Friday: Expect the unexpected in Ottawa on Friday as the 67’s take on the Mississauga Steelheads in an April Fools Day tilt. The 67’s game operations staff, as always, are sure to put on a great show at the arena at TD Place.

Otters celebrate 25th anniversary, hold Kids Takeover this weekend: The Erie Otters will celebrate 25 years of history on Saturday before a Kids Takeover at Erie Insurance Arena on Sunday as the Kitchener Rangers play back-to-back games. Saturday’s matchup will include an Otters legends card set giveaway while Sunday’s Kids Takeover will see the first 500 kids in attendance take home a Timbits jersey.

Fan Appreciation Day in Niagara on Sunday: The first 500 fans into the Meridian Centre on Sunday will receive a free IceDogs swag bag. Sunday’s Fan Appreciation Game is all about the fans and it’s one you won’t want to miss.

Wolves prepare for Indigenous Night on Tuesday: The Sudbury Wolves are pleased to announce their partnership with Kina Gbezhgomi Child and Family Services to host a celebration of Indigenous Culture at the Sudbury Community Arena on Tuesday, April 5th when the Wolves host the Niagara IceDogs at 7:05pm. More information at sudburywolves.com

Spirit announce donation drive for Amazing Grace Animal Rescue: The Saginaw Spirit Charitable Foundation is proud to announce a partnership with Amazing Grace Animal Rescue with a Donation Drive beginning Thursday, March 31st through April, 30th 2022. The Amazing Grace Animal Rescue, rehabilitates and re-homes pets in need, in the Saginaw Area. Full details at saginawspirit.com

ALUMNI NOTES

Another 100-point season for McDavid: Erie Otters graduate Connor McDavid became the 19th player in NHL history to record at least five seasons with 100 points on Wednesday. He joins Sidney Crosby as the only other active player to do so. McDavid leads NHL players with 37 goals, 63 assists and 100 points in 67 games for the Edmonton Oilers this season. The former CHL Player of the Year and first overall NHL Draft pick played three seasons in Erie from 2012-15, racking up 120 points in his final season.

Kea makes NHL officiating debut: Saginaw Spirit graduate Justin Kea broke into the NHL officiating ranks on Monday in Chicago. The 28-year-old native of Woodville, Ont. worked alongside fellow referee Gord Dwyer and linesmen Jonny Murray and David Brisebois in a game between the Blackhawks and visiting Buffalo Sabres. Kea played four seasons with the Saginaw Spirit from 2010-14 before spending six seasons between the AHL and ECHL.

60 OHL grads competing in 2022 U SPORTS Men’s Hockey Championship: 60 OHL graduates are competing for the David Johnston U SPORTS Men’s Hockey University Cup in Wolfville, Nova Scotia. Read more

10 OHL grads help power UNB’s fourth consecutive AUS championship: Ten OHL graduates helped the UNB REDS men’s hockey program skate to a fourth consecutive AUS championship on Friday in Fredericton. Read more

OHL grads honoured with OUA awards and all-star recognition: Several OHL graduates have been recognized as award and all-star recipients by Ontario University Athletics. Read more

KEY MATCHUPS

Windsor Spitfires at Owen Sound Attack
Saturday April 2nd – 7:30pm

Two of the hottest teams in the Western Conference meet at the Bayshore on Saturday as the first place Windsor Spitfires take their high-scoring offence on the road. The Spits have won seven straight entering Thursday’s action as star forward Wyatt Johnston leads the OHL with a total of 112 points. Windsor has found another gear of late and matches up against an Owen Sound team that has also found new life. The Attack have won five of their last six, jumping over the Guelph Storm into fifth in the Western Conference with a 31-24-4-3 record. The Bears recently secured their 11th consecutive 30+ win season, joining the London Knights as the only other OHL team to do so.

Kitchener Rangers at Erie Otters
Saturday & Sunday – 7:00pm & 2:00pm

It’s a big weekend in Erie as the Kitchener Rangers take on the Otters on back-to-back nights in a set with big playoff implications. The Rangers enter Thursday’s action holding down the Western Conference’s seventh spot by a three-point cushion. The Otters are currently three points back of eighth place Sarnia. The Otters have won two of three against Kitchener this season, including back-to-back games at The Aud in January.

UPCOMING SCHEDULE

Thursday March 31:
Oshawa at Hamilton – 7:00pm
Niagara at North Bay – 7:00pm
Kingston at Peterborough – 7:05pm
Sudbury at Barrie – 7:30pm
Sarnia at Windsor – 7:30pm (CHL TV Game of the Week)

Friday April 1:
Hamilton at Erie – 7:00pm
Oshawa at Kingston – 7:00pm
Mississauga at Ottawa – 7:00pm
Niagara at Sudbury – 7:05pm
Saginaw at Sault Ste. Marie – 7:07pm
Owen Sound at Guelph – 7:30pm
Windsor at Kitchener – 7:30pm
Flint at London – 7:30pm

Saturday April 2:
Kitchener at Erie – 7:00pm
Guelph at Flint – 7:00pm
Ottawa at Peterborough – 7:05pm
Sarnia at Saginaw – 7:05pm
Windsor at Owen Sound – 7:30pm
London at Barrie – 7:30pm

Sunday April 3:
Peterborough at Hamilton – 2:00pm
Sudbury at Mississauga – 2:00pm
Ottawa at Niagara – 2:00pm
Barrie at North Bay – 2:00pm
Kitchener at Erie – 2:00pm
Sarnia at Sault Ste. Marie – 2:07pm
Guelph at Saginaw – 5:30pm
Kingston at Oshawa – 6:05pm

2022 OHL CUP POWERED BY UNDER ARMOUR DAY 1 RECAP

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

Toronto, Ont. – The 2022 OHL Cup powered by Under Armour and hosted by the Greater Toronto Hockey League got underway on Wednesday with a total of 16 games on the Round Robin schedule.

The GTHL’s Toronto Marlboros, Toronto Jr. Canadiens and Markham Majors each emerged with a pair of wins as Jr. Canadiens forward Porter Martone leads all skaters with six points (3-3–6) in a pair of contests. Mississauga Senators teammates Caden Kelly and Michael Misa trail close behind with five points apiece.

Day 1 action included a total of five shutouts and three different games ending by a score of 1-0.

SCORES | STATS | STANDINGS | SCHEDULE

2022 OHL Cup Powered by Under Armour Day 1 Results:

Game 1 – Northern Ontario Hockey Association 4 vs. London Jr. Knights 2
NOHA MVP – Mason Wray (2G)
Jr. Knights MVP – Gavin McGahey-Smith (1G)
Recap – Stats

Game 2 – TPH Hockey 5 vs. Elgin-Middlesex Chiefs 2
TPH MVP – Caeden Heins (2G)
Chiefs MVP – Dylan Richter (1G)
Recap – Stats

Game 3 – Markham Majors 1 vs. Waterloo Wolves 0
Majors MVP – Jacob Gibbons (23 SV SO)
Wolves MVP – Landon Terrebroodt (21 SV)
Recap – Stats

Game 4 – Toronto Marlboros 4 vs. North York Rangers 2
Marlboros MVP – Sam Dickinson (1G)
Rangers MVP – Christopher Brown (2G)
Recap – Stats

Game 5 – Quinte Red Devils 3 vs. Thunder Bay Kings 0
Red Devils MVP – Glen McInnes (15 SV SO)
Kings MVP – Carter George (24 SV)
Recap – Stats

Game 6 – Markham Waxers 3 vs. Niagara North Stars 2 – OT
Waxers MVP – Nate Gillis (23 SV)
Stars MVP – Parker Forlin (1G)
Recap – Stats

Game 7 – Hamilton Jr. Bulldogs 1 vs. TPH Hockey 0
Jr. Bulldogs MVP – Julian Salvati (22 SV SO)
TPH MVP – Aidan McKenna (23 SV)
Recap – Stats

Game 8 – Toronto Jr. Canadiens 5 vs. Mississauga Senators 3
Jr. Canadiens MVP – Anthony Cristoforo (4A)
Senators MVP – Michael Misa (1G, 1A)
Recap – Stats

Game 9 – York-Simcoe Express 5 vs. Northern Ontario Hockey Association 3
Express MVP – Carson Littlejohn (2G)
NOHA MVP – Heath Bradley (1G)
Recap – Stats

Game 10 – Vaughan Kings 1 vs. Don Mills Flyers 0
Kings MVP – Logan Kennedy (17 SV SO)
Flyers MVP – Luca DiFelice (29 SV)
Recap – Stats

Game 11 – Toronto Marlboros 6 vs. Markham Waxers 1
Marlboros MVP – Beckett Sennecke (2G)
Waxers MVP – Frankie Marrelli (1A)
Recap – Stats

Game 12 – Brantford 99ers 3 vs. North York Rangers 1
99ers MVP – Justin Robinson (49 SV)
Rangers MVP – Kieron Walton
Recap – Stats

Game 13 – Waterloo Wolves 4 vs. Huron-Perth Lakers 3
Wolves MVP – Brady Martin (1G)
Lakers MVP – Atley Rogers (1G)
Recap – Stats

Game 14 – Toronto Jr. Canadiens 6 vs. Elgin-Middlesex Chiefs 0
Jr. Canadiens MVP – Antonio Tersigni (2G)
Chiefs MVP – Rene Van Bommel
Recap – Stats

Game 15 – Mississauga Senators 11 vs. Hamilton Jr. Bulldogs 4
Senators MVP – Caden Kelly (3G, 1A)
Jr. Bulldogs MVP – Jake Peters (2G)
Recap – Stats

Game 16 – Markham Majors 10 vs. Thunder Bay Kings 2
Majors MVP – Antonio Cerqua (1G, 3A)
Kings MVP – Nicholas Holomego
Recap – Stats

All tournament games feature live scoring complete with the OHL’s Game Centre module.

Round Robin action continues on Thursday with 12 games on the schedule before wrapping up Friday with an additional 12. Quarter-Final and Semi-Final action goes Saturday, concluding with Monday’s Championship Final at the Mattamy Athletic Centre.

All games are available live and on demand through GameOnStream.

The showcase provides fans and scouts one last opportunity to see many of the top U16 AAA players from across Ontario and parts of the United States compete for the OHL Cup performing against the best competition prior to the 2022 OHL Priority Selection.

For more information, visit OHLCup.ca.


About the Ontario Hockey League
The Ontario Hockey League is a proud member of the Canadian Hockey League which is the world’s largest development hockey league with 60 teams in nine Canadian provinces and four American states. In addition to the OHL, the CHL is made up of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League and the Western Hockey League. The CHL supplies more players to the National Hockey League and U SPORTS than any other league.

BULLDOGS, SPITFIRES AND BATTALION INCLUDED IN WEEK 22 EDITION OF KIA CHL TOP 10 RANKINGS

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

Toronto, Ont. – The Canadian Hockey League announced today the Week 22 edition of the Kia CHL Top 10 Rankings for the 2021-22 season.

The Hamilton Bulldogs are back up to number two this week winning three of their last four with one blip in overtime against the Sudbury Wolves on Friday. The Dogs finished a run of eight straight on the road Tuesday in Peterborough, winning six of those contests as Mason McTavish had a goal and an assist in his return to the Electric City. Tuesday’s win was Hamilton’s 43rd of the season, matching a club record set in 2017-18. Marco Costantini sits atop the OHL in both goals-against average (2.42) and shutouts (5) with 13 straight wins dating back to Feb. 16th.

The ninth-ranked Windsor Spitfires are into the Kia CHL Top 10 Rankings for the first time this season, surging up the Western Conference standings to first place with a 38-16-3-3 record including wins in seven straight. The League’s highest-scoring team, the Spitfires are led by OHL scoring leader Wyatt Johnston, a first round pick of the Dallas Stars who has 112 points (41-71–112) through 60 games. Other veteran forwards in New York Rangers prospect Will Cuylle (38 goals) and veteran flank Matthew Maggio (35 goals) have also been steady producers while Daniel D’Amico has a goal in each of his last seven games. Windsor scored back-to-back victories in Sault Ste. Marie last weekend and leads the Western Conference by a four-point margin.

The North Bay Battalion hang around in 10th this week, rebounding from a loss against Hamilton on Thursday with road victories over Niagara and Mississauga. The 37-18-3-3 Troops lead the Central Division by three points as San Jose Sharks prospect Brandon Coe continues to lead the way with 91 points (32-59–91) on the campaign while Mitchell Russell (38 goals), Matvey Petrov (34 goals) and Kyle McDonald (34 goals) continue firing on all cylinders.

For further analysis on the Week 22 edition of the Kia CHL Top 10 Rankings, visit CHL.ca.


About the Ontario Hockey League
The Ontario Hockey League is a proud member of the Canadian Hockey League which is the world’s largest development hockey league with 60 teams in nine Canadian provinces and four American states. In addition to the OHL, the CHL is made up of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League and the Western Hockey League. The CHL supplies more players to the National Hockey League and U SPORTS than any other league.

OHL CUP POWERED BY UNDER ARMOUR U16 AAA TOP 10 RANKINGS – FINAL EDITION

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

Toronto, Ont. – The Ontario Hockey League today announced the Week 11 and final edition of the weekly U16 AAA rankings for the 2022 OHL Cup Showcase Tournament presented by Under Armour and hosted by the Greater Toronto Hockey League.

The 2022 OHL Cup powered by Under Armour and hosted by the GTHL is scheduled for March 30 to April 4, 2022 and features 20 teams consisting of talent eligible for the 2022 OHL Priority Selection. All games will be played at the Scotiabank Pond in Toronto until the Championship Final moves to the Mattamy Athletic Centre on Monday, April 4. Wild card play-in games to determine the final entries into the showcase will be held tonight at Scotiabank Pond.

The weekly rankings are determined by a panel of OHL Central Scouting staff and represent the top teams that are competing to play in the annual year-end championship tournament.

U16 AAA Rankings for the 2022 OHL Cup Powered by Under Armour – Final Edition

Rank:Team:LAST WEEKWEEKS RANKED
1Toronto Jr. Canadiens (GTHL)*211
2Toronto Marlboros (GTHL)*311
3Mississauga Senators (GTHL)111
4Markham Majors (GTHL)*611
5Brantford 99ers (ALLIANCE)*78
6Quinte Red Devils (OMHA)*511
7Niagara North Stars (OMHA)*1011
8North York Rangers (GTHL)411
9London Jr. Knights (ALLIANCE)*911
10York-Simcoe Express (OMHA)*–1
 Honourable Mention:  
 Vaughan Kings (GTHL)–1
 Ajax-Pickering Raiders (OMHA)–3
 Markham Waxers (OMHA)85

* clinched spot at the 2022 OHL Cup powered by Under Armour

The eleventh and final edition of the OHL Cup Top 10 Rankings sees the GTHL champion Toronto Jr. Canadiens entering the showcase as the top-ranked team in the province after they defeated the Markham Majors 6-2 in Monday’s championship final. The Toronto Marlboros have cracked the top-two for the first time all season, entering as the second-ranked team while the GTHL finalist Markham Majors are up to number four on the list. The Brantford 99ers are the top-ranked team out of the ALLIANCE coming in at number five while the OMHA finalist Niagara North Stars rise three spots to seventh this week. The OMHA champion York-Simcoe Express come off a thrilling overtime victory, cracking the OHL Cup Top 10 for the first time all season.

For more information, visit OHLCup.ca.


About the Ontario Hockey League
The Ontario Hockey League is a proud member of the Canadian Hockey League which is the world’s largest development hockey league with 60 teams in nine Canadian provinces and four American states. In addition to the OHL, the CHL is made up of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League and the Western Hockey League. The CHL supplies more players to the National Hockey League and U SPORTS than any other league.

DUHART AND COSTANZO NAMED OHL TOP PERFORMERS OF THE WEEK

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

Toronto, Ont. – The Ontario Hockey League today announced Top Performers of the Week for the week of regular season games ending Sunday, March 27, 2022

Spirit’s Dalton Duhart Named OHL Player of the Week

Saginaw Spirit forward Dalton Duhart is the OHL Player of the Week, recording six goals, four assists and 10 points in three games.

Duhart helped the Spirit win two of three last week, recording his 100th career OHL point in the process. He scored twice and added an assist in an 8-5 road loss against the Windsor Spitfires on Thursday. Duhart turned in a career-best six point performance in Sarnia on Friday, helping the Spirit complete a remarkable comeback with four goals in the final 3:11 of regulation to overcome an 8-4 deficit. Duhart scored three third period goals before netting his fourth of the night with 10 seconds remaining in overtime as the Spirit defeated the Sting 9-8. He picked up an assist in Saturday’s 5-4 road win over the Flint Firebirds to give him points in eight of his last nine games. Duhart is the first Spirit player to earn OHL Player of the Week honours since Cole Perfetti last did so in February 2020.

A 21-year-old native of Grand Blanc, Mich., Duhart sits third in Spirit scoring with 49 points including 18 goals and 31 assists in 59 games this season. The overage winger is in the midst of his fourth OHL season in a career spent between London, Barrie and Saginaw that has yielded 46 goals, 60 assists and 106 points over 217 contests. Duhart was London’s third round (47th overall) pick in the 2017 OHL Priority Selection.

Also considered for the award this week, Windsor Spitfires forward Wyatt Johnston added to his OHL scoring lead with 10 points (5-5–10) in four victories. Spirit teammate Mitchell Smith was also in the running with seven points (3-4–7) in three games from the back end for Saginaw.

2021-22 OHL Players of the Week – Regular Season:
Mar. 21 – Mar. 27: Dalton Duhart (Saginaw Spirit)
Mar. 14 – Mar. 20: Matthew Maggio (Windsor Spitfires)
Mar. 7 – Mar. 13: Lucas Edmonds (Kingston Frontenacs)
Feb. 28 – Mar. 6: Theo Hill (Sarnia Sting)
Feb. 21 – Feb. 27: Logan Morrison (Hamilton Bulldogs)
Feb. 14 – Feb. 20: Antonio Stranges (London Knights)
Feb. 7 – Feb. 13: Logan Morrison (Hamilton Bulldogs).
Jan. 31 – Feb. 6: Luke Evangelista (London Knights)
Jan. 24 – Jan. 30: Brandt Clarke (Barrie Colts)
Jan. 17 – Jan. 23: Riley Piercey (Flint Firebirds)
Jan. 10 – Jan. 16: David Goyette (Sudbury Wolves)
Jan. 3 – Jan 9: Wyatt Johnston (Windsor Spitfires)
Dec. 27 – Jan. 2: James Hardie (Mississauga Steelheads)
Dec. 13 – Dec. 19: Ty Tullio (Oshawa Generals)
Dec. 6 – Dec. 12: Lucas Edmonds (Kingston Frontenacs)
Nov. 29 – Dec. 5: Wyatt Johnston (Windsor Spitfires)
Nov. 22 – Nov. 28: Brennan Othmann (Flint Firebirds)
Nov. 15 – Nov. 21: Brandon Coe (North Bay Battalion)
Nov. 8 – Nov. 14: Antonio Stranges (London Knights)
Nov. 1 – Nov. 7: Shane Wright (Kingston Frontenacs)
Oct. 25 – Oct. 31: Tucker Robertson (Peterborough Petes)
Oct. 18 – Oct. 24: Rory Kerins (Soo Greyhounds)
Oct. 11 – Oct. 17: Calum Ritchie (Oshawa Generals)
Oct. 4 – Oct. 10: Jack Thompson (Sudbury Wolves)

IceDogs’ Joey Costanzo Named OHL Goaltender of the Week

Joey Costanzo of the Niagara IceDogs is the OHL Goaltender of the Week after posting a 1.00 goals-against average and .973 save percentage, backstopping the IceDogs to wins over Peterborough and Erie.

Costanzo turned away 71 of the 73 shots that came his way as the IceDogs continued their strong play, coming away with six of a possible eight points last week. He earned first star honours in Tuesday’s 2-1 overtime win over visiting Peterborough, stopping 32 of 33 as the Dogs were victorious on a Dakota Betts overtime tally. Costanzo was first star again on Sunday, picking up an assist while making 39 saves as the IceDogs defeated the Erie Otters 3-1 on the road.

A 17-year-old native of Toronto, Ont., Costanzo owns a 5-8-0-0 record with a 4.79 goals-against average and .880 save percentage in his first OHL season. The 6-foot, 161Ib. netminder was the first goalie selected in the 2021 OHL Priority Selection, going in the second round (23rd overall) to Niagara from the Toronto Marlboros U16 program.

Also considered for the award this week, Kingston Frontenacs netminder Aidan Spooner played to a 1-1 mark with a 1.99 goals-against average and .934 save percentage, making 30 saves in an overtime win over Mississauga on Friday. London Knights rookie Owen Flores recorded his first career shutout on Sunday, making 31 saves as the Knights blanked the Guelph Storm.

2021-22 OHL Goaltenders of the Week – Regular Season:
Mar. 21 – Mar. 27: Joey Costanzo (Niagara IceDogs)
Mar. 14 – Mar. 20: Marco Costantini (Hamilton Bulldogs)
Mar. 7 – Mar. 13: Nick Chenard (Owen Sound Attack)
Feb. 28 – Mar. 6: Marco Costantini (Hamilton Bulldogs)
Feb. 21 – Feb. 27: Leevi Merilainen (Kingston Frontenacs)
Feb. 14 – Feb. 20: Mack Guzda (Barrie Colts)
Feb. 7 – Feb. 13: Pavel Cajan (Kitchener Rangers)
Jan. 31 – Feb. 6: Patrick Leaver (Oshawa Generals)
Jan. 24 – Jan. 30: Max Donoso (Ottawa 67’s)
Jan. 17 – Jan. 23: Mack Guzda (Barrie Colts)
Jan. 10 – Jan. 16: Mitchell Weeks (Sudbury Wolves)
Jan. 3 – Jan. 9: Nolan Lalonde (Erie Otters)
Dec. 27 – Jan. 2: Joe Ranger (Mississauga Steelheads)
Dec. 13 – Dec. 19: Owen Bennett (Guelph Storm)
Dec. 6 – Dec. 12: Mack Guzda (Barrie Colts)
Nov. 29 – Dec. 5: Leevi Merilainen (Kingston Frontenacs)
Nov. 22 – Nov. 28: Tye Austin (Peterborough Petes)
Nov. 15 – Nov. 21: Ben Gaudreau (Sarnia Sting)
Nov. 8 – Nov. 14: Joe Vrbetic (North Bay Battalion
Nov. 1 – Nov. 7: Roman Basran (Mississauga Steelheads)
Oct. 25 – Oct. 31: Patrick Leaver (Oshawa Generals)
Oct. 18 – Oct. 24: Jacob Oster (Guelph Storm)
Oct. 11 – Oct. 17: Brett Brochu (London Knights)
Oct. 4 – Oct. 10: Tucker Tynan (Niagara IceDogs)


About the Ontario Hockey League
The Ontario Hockey League is a proud member of the Canadian Hockey League which is the world’s largest development hockey league with 60 teams in nine Canadian provinces and four American states. In addition to the OHL, the CHL is made up of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League and the Western Hockey League. The CHL supplies more players to the National Hockey League and U SPORTS than any other league.

Ruslan Gazizov – London Knights – Player Profile

Posted on by Dominic Tiano
HTWTDOBPOSSHOOTSIMPORTNHLCSCOUNTRY
5’11”1851-21-04CL12th62nd NARUSSIA
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2019-20Russia U16Avangard65914
2019-20Russia U17Avangard30182341
2020-21Russia U17Avangard64711
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2021-22Hlinka/GretzkyRussia53710
2021-22OHLLondon Knights4591726
Ruslan Gazizov of the London Knights. Photo by Luke Durda/OHL Images

During the 2019-2020 season, London Knights forward Ruslan Gazizov was just too good for Avangard Omsk in Russia’s Under-16 league so he almost immediately moved up to the Under-17 with Avangard. And he took that league by storm as well.

The following season saw him begin with Avangard Under-17 and again was playing above most others so he moved up once again, this time to the MHL (Russia’s equivalent to the CHL) but that transition was a little slow.

Last summer, Gazizov represented Russia at the Hlinka – Gretzky Cup and helped lead Russia to a gold medal with 3 goals and 7 helpers in 5 games.

Gazizov, the 12th overall pick at the Canadian Hockey League Import Draft has been a bit of an enigma in his first OHL season. While he has displayed on many occasions that he has the high-end offensive skills that can make him a dangerous weapon, especially on the powerplay, he isn’t always used as his skill set suggests. And that is typical of a Dale Hunter coached team because you have to give the 200-foot effort as well and that is lacking at the moment in Gazizov’ s game.  

I had hoped his skating was better than advertised. While technically, there aren’t any issues with his skating, he could improve all facets of his speed game. I’ve said this many times before, it’s not a big issue as I believe a good skating coach will bring him along.

Gazizov has some excellent hands and while he is at his best with time and space and using his vision and slick passing skills to create opportunities, he is also capable of stickhandling in tight and maintaining possession before distributing the puck.

While the offensive skills are there and he has shown the ability to be a creative playmaker, Gazizov projects to be a complimentary piece on a line rather than the driver on it. He could be a top six forward at the NHL level, but he’s going to have to put in some work in areas other than offence.

Pano Fimis – Niagara IceDogs – Player Profile

Posted on by Dominic Tiano
HTWTDOBPOSSHOOTSOHL DRAFTNHLCSCOUNTRY
5’11”1766-17-04CR2nd in 202077 NACANADA
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2019-20GTHL U16Toronto Jr Canadiens32142842
2019-20U16 AAAToronto Jr Canadiens594163104
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#19 Pano Fimis of the Niagara IceDogs. Brandon Taylor/ OHL Images

Pano Fimis was an elite offensive producer at the Under-16 during the 2019-2020 season and the Niagara IceDogs used the second overall pick to select him behind his Toronto Jr Canadiens teammate Ty Nelson (North Bay Battalion).

If you spend any time watching Fimis you will notice his head is on a swivel, He is constantly surveying the ice and knows exactly where everyone is and this allows him to find open ice at both ends of the rink. If the puck finds his stick, he’s one step ahead and usually makes the right decision.

Fimis is a creative player who seems to be able to make something out of nothing. He has Charmin soft hands and can find his way out of traffic, scan the zone and then dish off a tape-to-tape pass. It’s his ability to read and react that makes him a force to contend with and that goes for 5vs5, the powerplay and the penalty kill.

Fimis has all the puck skills you want in a player and the hockey IQ to go along with it. But he doesn’t come without any warts. Fimis lacks the mass to withstand battles along the walls and to get to the net as he can rather easily be knocked off. He’s going to have to put in a lot of work to bulk up and gain some strength.

Additionally, Fimis isn’t exactly a speedster when it comes to his skating. I want some speed in a player that is 5’11”. First steps, separation gear and top speed need some improvement. And best, he is slightly above average when it comes to skating.

Obviously, the lost 2020-2021 season had an effect here. Not only did he not play any games during the pandemic lost season, but lost too was the ability to put some meaningful work in to improve on the areas he needs to work on.

Am I worried? Not really. Almost every player at this level needs to mature physically and Fimis is no different. As long as he is willing to put in the effort, it’s not a problem. If not, he could be another Cole MacKay who added no bulk to his frame from his 2019 draft year until today.

And with professional ice-skating coaches, I’m not to worried about that either. The Pandemic didn’t help with him seeking to improve on his blades. But NHL teams are going to have to be impressed with his hands and ability to think the game and be confident that his skating will improve to select him higher that 77th that NHL Central Scouting has him ranked among North America Skaters.

Fimis lost most of the month of March due to injury, so he’s going to have to have a very strong finish to the season. And he is doing just that with the IceDogs scoring twice and adding four helpers in the four games since his return.

OHL CUP POWERED BY UNDER ARMOUR U16 AAA TOP 10 RANKINGS – WEEK 10

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

Toronto, Ont. – The Ontario Hockey League today announced the Week 10 edition of the weekly U16 AAA rankings for the 2022 OHL Cup Showcase Tournament presented by Under Armour and hosted by the Greater Toronto Hockey League.

The 2022 OHL Cup powered by Under Armour and hosted by the GTHL is scheduled for March 30 to April 4, 2022 and features 20 teams consisting of talent eligible for the 2022 OHL Priority Selection. All games will be played at the Scotiabank Pond in Toronto until the Championship Final moves to the Mattamy Athletic Centre on Monday, April 4. Wild card play-in games to determine the final entries into the showcase will be held at Scotiabank Pond on Tuesday, March 29.

The weekly rankings are determined by a panel of OHL Central Scouting staff and represent the top teams that are competing to play in the annual year-end championship tournament.

U16 AAA Rankings for the 2022 OHL Cup Powered by Under Armour – Week 10

Rank:Team:LAST WEEKWEEKS RANKED
1Mississauga Senators (GTHL)210
2Toronto Jr. Canadiens (GTHL)110
3Toronto Marlboros (GTHL)310
4North York Rangers (GTHL)510
5Quinte Red Devils (OMHA)410
6Markham Majors (GTHL)610
7Brantford 99ers (ALLIANCE)*77
8Markham Waxers (OMHA)85
9London Jr. Knights (ALLIANCE)*1010
10Niagara North Stars (OMHA)910
 Honourable Mention:  
 Halton Hurricanes (OMHA)––
 Vaughan Kings (GTHL)–1
 Ajax-Pickering Raiders (OMHA)–3

* clinched spot at the 2022 OHL Cup powered by Under Armour

Winners of their last six games, the Mississauga Senators return to the top of the pile in the Week 10 edition of the OHL Cup powered by Under Armour Top 10 Rankings. The North York Rangers rise one spot to number four on the list after unseating the Toronto Jr. Canadiens from the top spot with a 7-5 win over JRC on Saturday. The London Jr. Knights are up to ninth on the list as one of four ALLIANCE teams to secure a spot in the OHL Cup. The Jr. Knights join the seventh-ranked Brantford 99ers, Elgin-Middlesex Chiefs and Huron-Perth Lakers in securing a spot at the annual showcase.

For more information, visit OHLCup.ca.


About the Ontario Hockey League
The Ontario Hockey League is a proud member of the Canadian Hockey League which is the world’s largest development hockey league with 60 teams in nine Canadian provinces and four American states. In addition to the OHL, the CHL is made up of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League and the Western Hockey League. The CHL supplies more players to the National Hockey League and U SPORTS than any other league.